Board of Directors
John Simcox, CPBT-KA
President | Treasurer | Executive Director
TRRI Facilities Committee Chair
John attended Coastal Carolina University where he cultivated his love and passion for marine wildlife and conservation initiatives. For the past 10 years, John has worked within the zoo and aquarium industry gaining valuable experience in wildlife education, husbandry/management, operant conditioning & positive reinforcement training, and behavioral enrichment. John has spent the last few years working exclusively with raptors and birds of prey, and has become a Certified Professional Bird Trainer (CPBT-KA). In 2024, John founded Talon Ridge Raptor Institute to further avian conservation through key initiatives such as research, education, conservation, and mutual aid. His goal is to bridge the gap between culture and conservation by connecting humans with raptors and teaching how we can coexist. Lastly, John is a Professional Member of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE) where he serves on the Enrichment, Conservation, and International committees.
Jill Smith
Secretary
Jill, a native of southwest Virginia and a first-generation college student, attended the University of Virginia. Since UVa, she has worked in project and campaign management at EAB Global, a higher ed research, tech, and marketing firm. While her background does not include a STEM degree or wild animal care experience, Jill was a Girl Scout from K-12 and spent much of her spare time outdoors, especially with her father who taught her conservation techniques and identification of local animal and plant species and who fostered her love for nature. As an adult, Jill is a birder and avid hiker and has a goal to visit as many US national parks as possible. Her hope in joining the Talon Ridge Board is to contribute however she can to the preservation and continuity of species which play such important roles in our ecosystems.
Kristin Forquer
Kristin is an Animal Management Supervisor at the North Carolina Zoo where she oversees the zoo’s Cypress Swamp collection. Kristin started her professional wildlife journey by obtaining a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina University where her primary focus was in shark research. Since earning her degree, Kristin has worked with various wildlife species such as mountain lions, penguins, hyenas, crocodiles, and, of course, raptors! Kristin joins our Board with over a decade of experience in animal care and management. Kristin has been around wildlife since she was a child. She enjoys nature and the outdoors, and she finds time to hike any chance she gets, especially in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Kristin is excited to join the Talon Ridge Raptor Institute’s Board of Directors to not only work with an amazing group of people dedicated to TRRI’s mission, but also to continue to support and advise her lifelong friend and TRRI’s Founder, John, whom she had mentored and supported throughout his entire career. Kristin joins the Board of Directors with excitement and vigor to uphold TRRI’s Mission and Core Values of research, education, conservation, and mutual aid, and she hopes her contributions will leave a lasting impact on raptor conservation.
Dr. Balinda Strosnider
TRRI Education Committee Chair
Dr. Balinda Strosnider is a dedicated member of the Talon Ridge Raptor Institute’s Board of Directors, bringing a wealth of expertise in business strategy, operations, and data science. Her 37-year career at a Fortune 100 company encompassed diverse roles, from Software Engineer to Process Improvement Expert (Six Sigma Master Black Belt), culminating in leadership positions such as Strategy Leader for Operations and PMO Leader of a Data Science Team. Dr. Strosnider holds a PhD in Business Administration and a BS in Computer Science. Driven by a deep commitment to raptor conservation and education, she founded Land on Sky Wildlife Experiences, a similar raptor-focused non-profit in Arizona that is recognized as one of the “Top 25 Things to do in Arizona in 2025”, demonstrating a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges within this field. Further showcasing her dedication to educating the public about raptors, Dr. Strosnider is also the author of three published children’s books about these magnificent birds. Complementing this experience, Dr. Strosnider is recognized as a Certified Professional Bird Trainer Knowledge Assessed (CPBT-KA) by the International Avian Trainers Certification Board (IATCB). Lastly, she is a Professional Member of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE) where she served on the Board of Directors and currently serves as the IAATE Education Committee Chair.
Heathur Sawyer
Heathur is an East Tennessee (and Tri-Cities) native who owns and operates Til Death Tattoo in Downtown Johnson City. Heathur is an award winning tattoo artist who has worked in the industry for over 8 years, where she has spent the majority of that time managing a studio. Heathur has a long history of philanthropic work as she has partnered with several charities, organizations, and events to support her community. Most notably organizing critical donation and supply runs to rural East Tennessee shelters in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene in September of 2024. Heathur’s commitment to her community as a local business owner and philanthropist not only highlights her talents and achievements, but also demonstrates her dedication to the Tri-Cities and Greater Appalachia region as a whole. Heathur’s work, both inside the tattoo studio and beyond, is the perfect complement to our mission to protect raptors and empower communities!